It is already 2022 and mental health is still a taboo in India and most parts of the world. This was normal before COVID-19 hit the world, but the pandemic has further worsened mental health status. There are several reasons why mental health is ignored in India. The fact that mental illness patients are considered mad still tops the list in most parts of the world. The numbers keep staggering across the world; today more than 1 billion people live with mental illness.
The thing is nobody is ready to seek help but the truth is about 50% of mental health disorders start by the age of 14. To state the fact, there is no health without mental health. With so much uncertainty around us feelings of overwhelm, frustration, and irritability may be more present inside of us as compared to the previous years.
And not only this, since it has been more than 2 years of sitting at home, people are becoming more anxious with each passing day. Trust me, when I say this, you are not alone. There are a million others just like you who have started to fear meeting new people, stepping out of the house, and even starting a conversation with someone. These feelings may seem overwhelming but on the brighter side, they are normal. However, one should address these feelings instead of running away from them as it only makes things worse. Below are some tips to manage anxiety in a changing world.
Identify your feelings
No matter what you are feeling, angry, sad, defenseless, scared, or anything else in the world it is important to address these feelings. One should understand that these feelings are normal in situations like this. Now that, everything is going back to the way it used to be, it is time you should focus on your mental health even more. Meet people, go out, and do something that you like.
Maintain Usual routines
When you have something to look forward to, you don’t feel that anxious. Try to maintain a schedule for yourself and stick to it. Living your life normally is actually an act of defiance. If you don’t have to go to the office yet, make sure you at least follow a good routine. If you are bored, don’t just sit at home, go for walks, hit the gym, or do anything that makes you happy.
Witness the present
Your goal should not be to switch off your mind but to reach a state of eternal calm. Stop worrying about the future and the things that you cannot control or change. Try to live in the present as much as you can.
Be gentle to yourself
Always remember to be kind to yourself. Don’t criticize yourself for allowing thoughts to creep in. Admit the fact that your mind has drifted off and then gently bring it back. Listen to good music, watch good content, read a little maybe. These are the things that can help you to overcome the anxiety inside of you.
Exercise & Yoga
As overwhelming as it might sound, exercise and yoga are the two things that can help you to overcome a lot of things including stress and anxiety. Take out some time from your routine to exercise a little and you will see a huge change in yourself.
While this may all sound a little overwhelming and straightforward, practice will make it easier and better. Don’t forget that perseverance is the key.
Mental health affects all aspects of our lives and yet it is one of the most neglected topics in everyone’s lives. The state of your mental health determines how you handle stress, how you relate to others, and how you make healthy choices. If you leave your mental illness untreated, the socio-economic repercussions are devastating. Therefore, consider these two things to make your recovering journey easier.
Talk to Someone
There is nothing wrong in talking to someone if you are not feeling good. We should all try to take mental health seriously too. Even if you are not willing to talk to your friends or family, you should consider seeking professional help. Not talking to someone only makes things even worse. According to the survey conducted in 2015-16, nearly 15% Indian adults need active intervention for one or more mental health issues and one in 20 adults suffers from depression which is the next worse thing after anxiety.
So, no one knows what causes it and it can happen to anyone at any age point. In fact, almost 800,000 people die due to suicide every year. The past two years were horrible for everyone. The fear of losing a loved one, sitting at home, and not being able to meet friends and family were the few things that scared most of us.
But since things are getting back to normal, below are the few things you can avoid to keep your mental health on track-
- Don’t leave your issues unresolved as it only worsens the situation. Seeking help and addressing your problems is the only way forward even when you don’t feel like doing it.
- Avoid alcohol as it does not solve anything. It might make things better for a while but it acts as a depressant, hindering other recovery efforts.
- Try not to stay in bed and make your sleep patterns become chaotic for yourself. Insomnia can make depression much worse and thus, sticking to a normal sleep routine is a must if you are suffering from anxiety or depression.
- As much as you want to do it, don’t lock yourself away indoors. Generally, it is advised that you should maintain social contact but if you can’t do it, try to get some fresh air and sunshine.
- Virtual distractions are always tempting in such situations. But try not to make it a habit. So, limit the use of phones, tablets, and other virtual distractions.
- Don’t fixate on sad songs and depressing news and media.
- Do not compare your life with other people.
- Try avoiding thinking about the future too hard and try to live in the present.
- And if everything that is written above does not work, seek professional help as soon as possible.
Since the world is changing with each passing day, not being able to express your feelings and not being able to cope with the changes can leave a person in a condition of extreme sadness. However, make sure you know that your happiness does not depend on anyone. It is obvious thing that reading an article does not make you feel better if you are dealing with something like this. But when every day seems like a new challenge, keep pushing yourself and you will be fine soon. Apart from that, try to maintain healthy eating habits and avoid junk food as much as you can.